Method for the production of spray tube orifices for irrigating devices



2, 1955 A. P. SHEPARD 2,714,244

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPRAY TUBE ORIFICES FOR IRRIGATING DEVICESOriginal Filed Oct. 11, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ARTHUR R SHEPARDBY W ATTORNEY3 Aug. 2, 1955 A. P. SHEPARD METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OFSPRAY TUBE ORIFICES FOR IRRIGATING DEVICES Original Filed Oct. 11 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 2 i 1 w lHiHiiin- 2 lily 2 1:15 QQE 424 424 INVENTOR ARTHURR SHEPARD ATTORNEYS limited tates i atent ORIFICES FOR IRRIGATINGDEVICES Arthur P. S hepard, New York, N. Y., assignor to MetallizmgEngineering Co. Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of NewJersey Original application October 11, 1951, Serial No; 250,864.Divided and this application November 14, 1952, Serial No. 320,573

4 Claims. (Cl. 29-157) This invention relates .to new and usefulimprovements in ,the method for the production of spray tube orificesfor irrigating devices, and is a division of my co-pending application,Serial No. 250,864 filed October 11, 1951.

Sprinklers for use for watering lawns and the like frequently include atube through which irrigating-water passes and a number of nozzles ororifices located longitudinally along the tube, the orifices being fedwith water from the tube. The tube forms a manifold for supplying waterto a row of individual spray orifices.

There are a number of typesv of irrigating-devices which include tubeswith orifices as described above. Some of these consist merely of long,stationary tubes 'which are set by hand in the desired position. Othersknown as oscillating sprinklers provide motors for regularly oscillatingspray tubes about an axis so that the water emerging from the nozzlesforms roving streams or jets. In oscillating sprinklers it .is commonpractice to set some of the nozzles at different angles to the axisofoscillation so that the Water emerging from the nozzles diverges withthe shape of a fiat fan. This fan-like spray pattern is usually obtainedby the use of a spray tube bent into the shape of an are, with thenozzles or orifices set normal to the arc of the spray tube ateach'point along its length.

In all cases, however, including either the oscillating type sprinklersor the hand-settable tube type of sprinklers, it is necessary forefficient results to obtain clearly defined separate jets of Water fromeach nozzle or orifice. Such clear streams of water project the farthestand deliver the most water to the ground area toward which they aredirected and lose the least amount of water by evaporation. Water jetswhich-form a broken spray or fog are to be avoided for this type of usesince the primary function of irrigating devices is to spray large areaswith the least possible loss of water.

In the past it has only been possible to obtain clean jets of water byconstructing individual water nozzles and inserting them into the spraytube. Although individual nozzles of this type have been constructedsatisfactorily, they are relatively expensive, particularly in theiraggregate, since a large number of such nozzles are usually required.

Many attempts have been made to drill or punch orifices directly intothe walls of the spray tubes in an effort to obtain nozzles for spraytubes of this type which are less expensive than individual insertednozzles. All such attempts have been unsuccessful, in that they havefailed to produce clean, non-fogging jets of water. One of thedifficulties encountered when holes are drilled or punched directly intothe spray tube is due to the fact that the shape and character of thejets of water emerging from such holes are materially affected byvelocity and pressure of the water in the spray tube. It might bepossible, for instance, to obtain reasonably clear jets from punchedholes in a spray tube where the velocity of water is relatively low andwhere the water pressure is also relatively low, such as pressures ofbeice tween 5 and .20 .lbs. per square inch gauge. Higher Waterpressures, however, cause trouble with-spray tubes made inthis manner.

It is one object of this invention to provide a method for makingorifices .for .spray tubes, which overcomes the foregoing objections andwhich provides espray tubes capable of delivering clean, separate waterjets which are .not affected materially by changes in velocity .orpressure within the spray tubes. It 'is a further object of-thisinvention to provide amethodfor producing such orifices at ,a very low.cost. These and other objects of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description read in conjunction with the drawings inwhich:

Fig. l is a top elevation of one embodiment-ofia spray tube withorifices madein accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a .side view of the spray tube shown .in Fig. 1 viewed at aright angle thereto;

.Fig. 3 represents an end view of .the .spray tube shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates aperspective end view .of an alternative embodimentof spray tube made in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 isa side view, partially incross-section, of the spray tube shownin Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows an .enlarged cross-sectional view of the spray tube shownin .Fig. 1, in the plane VIVI thereof;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of part of the structure of Fig. 6 inthe plane VII-VII thereof;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of partof the structure of Fig. 6 inthe plane VIII-VIII thereof;

Fig. 9 represents a side view of a tool usable in the making of orificedtubes in accordance with the invention; and

Fig. 10 illustrates an end view of the tool shown in Fig. 9 in thedirection of the chisel point. I

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8, spray tube 1.is a manifold forconducting water underpressure to sprayjet orifices 2. Raised ridges 3extend on both sides of orifices 2. Orifices 2 extend through the wallof spray tube 1 and are approximately flush with both the outer andinner surfaces of said spray tube wall.

Projections 4 project as an integral part of the spray tube 1 from theinner surface of the spray tube wall toward the center of said spraytube and are located immediately adjacent the inner termini of orifices2. There are two projections for each orifice. Each pair of projectionsis located on opposite sides of an orifice on a line approximatelyparallel to the axis of spray tube 1, and passing through the center ofthe orifice. While as shown the orifices are all centered on a straightline parallel to the axis of the spray tube and extend into the spraytube normal to the axis thereof, they may, in accordance with myinvention, be positioned in any desired alignment or manner in order toobtain any desired spray pattern.

While I prefer to locate the projections 4 for each orifice on a lineparallel to the spray tube axis and passing through the center of thatparticular orifice, the same is not necessary. It is only necessary thata substantial portion of a projection be in front of each orifice in adirection approximately parallel to the flow direction ofwater throughthe spray "tube. Thus, I have found that even with projections centeredon a line extending from the center of the orifice at an angle of about45 to the spray tube axis or direction of water flow through the tube,satisfacfice in the direction of water flow through the tube, will bereferred to herein and in the claims as an axial positioning I of theprojection in relation to the orifice. With projections on each side ofthe orifice enabling the water flow to 3 be effected in either directionthrough the tube with the full benefits of the invention, theprojections are said to be positioned on each axial side of the orifice.

The distance which the projections 4 project into the interior of thespray tube, i. e., their depth, is not critical other than that theymust be of noticeable depth and not so heavy that they might have ablocking action of an extent interfering with the satisfactoryperformance of the spray tube. Within the preferred construction of myinvention, it is best to have them project into the tube a distance offrom M1. to 4 times the diameter of the orifice. The Width of saidprojections should preferably be equal to the diameter of orifice 2. Ifdesired, the projections may be much wider than the diameter of theirorifice but they should not be appreciably narrower than about /2 saiddiameter. The length of the projections in a direction toward theirrespective adjacent orifices is not critical.

However it is only necessary that they be long enough to holes in a tubeand by welding or brazmg the necessary have sufiicient strength.

It is not necessary, though for best results desirable, to have thesurface portion of projections 4 adjacent orifice 2 curved somewhatcorresponding to the curved edge of orifice 2. surface adjacent orifice2, it is most preferable for the curved surface of said projections 4 tohave a curvature which is somewhat less than the curvature of theadjacent orifice surface.

In operation, irrigating water is fed under pressure into fice 2 isdeflected in its fiow by the upstream projection adjacent said orificeso that the maximum velocity of said flow does not occur at the innerterminus of said orifice.

If projections 4 are provided with a curved larly desirable for spraytubes of this type for use with oscillating type irrigating sprinklers.

A further advantage of spray tube orifice combinations constructed inaccordance with my said co-pending application resides in the discoverythat spray tubes can be made smaller in diameter and hence lessexpensively when my novel construction is used. This is due to the factthat higher velocities across the jet entrances do not affect theperformance of jets with projections made in accordance with thisinvention, thus permitting the use of higher velocity, smaller diametertubes.

Raised ridges 3 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 are sometimes used toprotect the jets from the effects of a crosswind, but they are notnecessary to the operation of the device in accordance with thisinvention.

The novel spray tube orifice constructions could be made in a number ofdifferent ways. It would, for instance, be possible to produce thisconstruction by drilling projections in place adjacent the orifices inthe inner side of the spray tube. Such methods of manufacture arehowever very expensive. In accordance with the method of this invention,spray tube orifice constructions, as described above, may be producedvery inexpensively.

In accordance with my novel method a punch 7, as shown in Figs. 9 and10, is used. This punch consists of the active punching section 8 andthe shank sections 9 and 10. The active section of the punch 8 may bemade by forming a cylindrical section equal in diameter to the diameterof the desired jet orifice. The end of the punch is then sharpened to achisel-like point by grinding two fiat intersecting surfaces whichintersect on the center axis of said cylindrical section. The includedangle of the I chisel point punch may be between l5 and 60 degrees, but

Water may, however, enter orifice 2 at its inner terminus from the sidesbetween opposing projections, as well as directly from any portion ofthe tube beyond said projections.

The structure as above described and made in accordance with thisinvention provides a spray tube with orifices therein which will deliverclean, smooth streams of water from said orifices throughout a widerange of pressure, and velocity conditions within said spray tube.Though opposing projections are preferred, good results may be obtainedby using only a projection at the upstream side of the orifice relativeto the direction of liquid fiow for which the tube is intended ordesigned.

Wherever spray tubes have been constructed, in the past, with drilled orpunched orifices, the spray jets issuingtherefrom have been affected byvelocity of flow within the spray tube and often produced foggy orbroken up streams. The effect of the projection up-stream of the orificein' accordance with the invention would seem to perform the function ofdeflecting water traveling past the orifice, and thus change the flowcharacteristics, favorably affecting the performance of the orifice. Theeffect of the projections downstream from the orifice is to stillfurther improve performance of the spray tube and orifice combination,and also help to streamline the flow around the orifice entrance.

The use of opposing projections for an orifice on a line parallel to theaxis of the spray tube has the advantage of providing a spray tube whichmay be used with water flowing in either direction. This is a realadvantage since it permits further manufacturing steps and/ or assemblyafter manufacture of the spray tube without regard to a particular endthat must be connected up to the water inlet.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the spray tube 5 has been bentso thatorifices 6 therein are located on a line along the arc of a circle.Water jets emerging from said orifice will hence form in a pattern of afiat fan. This is particumost preferably between 30 and 40 degrees.

In carrying out this method I provide a spray tube of a ductilematerial. I have found aluminum and aluminum alloys particularlysuitable for this purpose. The wall thickness of the tube at theportions to be orificed should 1 forces the previously slotted metalapart to form projections on the inner surface of the spray tubsadjacent to the orifice. The orifices and projections formed in thespray tube by this method are in accordance with the structure of thepreviously described spray tube and orifice 53 combination.

While in the description of the above method mention was made of thechisel edge of the punch being located about normal to the axis of thespray tube, the same is not necessary. The projections will be formed oneither side of the chisel edge, which edge should accordingly be sopositioned that the projections formed will be on each axial side of theorifice. Though in the type of tube shown the punching should preferablybe effected with the chisel edge at an angle of about 90 with the axisof the tube, I have found that satisfactory orifice structure ca be madewith the chisel edge set at an angle anywhere from about 4590 to thespray tube axis.

One of the most important uses of spray tubes made in accordance withthis invention is in conjunction with oscillating type irrigatingsprinklers. For sprinklers of this type it is desirable to have thespray tube bent into an are (as illustrated in Fig. 5) so as to form afan of water streams. In the past the manufacture of bent spray tubes ofthis type has been very expensive. The reason for this is that afterbending, the axes of the orifices are not parallel, but radiate from apoint so that it has not been possible to gang-punch or gang-drill theseholes. It was, therefore, necessary in past practice to drill or punchthese holes one at a time at great expense. Attempts have beenpreviously made to gang-drill or gang-punch a number of orifices into astraight spray tube and to thereafter bend the spray tube to the desiredarc. All such attempts have been failures due to the fact thatthebending operation distorts and warps the holes, usually to a somewhatelliptical shape. Such shape orifices, in the past, have not performedsatisfactorily since they produce very irregular and foggy streams. Itis one of the outstanding advantages of this invention that orificesproduced in accordance with this invention, with the internalprojections described previously, can be produced with round holes in astraight spray tube and that the spray tube can thereafter be bent intothe shape of an arc. Even after bending the spray tube, orifices withprojections made accordance with this invention, produce clean sharpstreams of water and do not produce irregular foggy streams as in thepast, even though the bending operation does cause distortion of theorifices into a somewhat elliptical shape.

Bent spray tube orifice combinations can thus be produced by a method inaccordance with this invention, which comprises providing a multiplenumber of chiseledged cylindrical punches, as shown in Fig. 9, mountedin a straight row with parallel axes and with chisel points set at least45 degrees from the common axis of said punches; providing a tube ofductile material; punching a row of holes into said tube parallel to itsaxis; and thereafter bending at least the punched portion of said tubeinto shape of an arc with said holes appearing on the outer periphery ofthe are.

I claim:

1. Method of producing in stock of ductile material at least one nozzleorifice of substantially predetermined diameter and having oppositelypaired projections adjacent thereto, which comprises punch-cutting aslot with a wedge-shaped chisel into and through said stock, at an angleof slot direction to the tube axis of about -90, of a length aboutapproximating said diameter and thereafter punch-expanding said slotinto substantially cylindrical shape corresponding to said diameter.

2. Method of producing irrigating tubes of ductile material havingmultiple nozzle orifices of predetermined diameter with oppositelypaired projections adjacent thereto which comprises punch-cutting a rowof slots with a wedge-shaped chisel into and through the wall of suchtube substantially parallel to its tube axis and at an angle of slotdirection for each slot to tube axis of about 45-90 and a length of eachslot about approximating said diameter, and thereafter punch-expandingsaid slots into substantially cylindrically-shaped orifices, eachcorresponding to said diameter, thereby forcing the previously slottedmetal apart to form for each said orifice at the inner tube surfaceopposing pairs of projections adjacent their orifice.

3. Method according to claim 1 in which said wedgeshaped chisel has anincluded angle defining the chisel point of from 15-60.

' 4. Method according to claim 2 in which said wedgeshaped chisel has anincluded angle defining the chisel point of from 15-60".

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS886,036 Brown Apr. 28, 1908 1,246,456 Parpert Nov. 13, 1917 1,250,411Amiot Dec. 18, 1917 1,264,854 Possons Apr. 30, 1918 2,124,406 SpattaJuly 19, 1938 2,292,799 Romann Aug. 11, 1942 2,318,769 Freeman May 11,1943 2,383,584 Beishline Aug. 28, 1945 2,632,511 Hamilton Mar. 24, 1953

